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Abstract:

A calliper-like instrument for measuring tree diameters, includes a
straightedge on which there is placed a first leg and a second leg. The
instrument further includes a recording unit adjacent the first leg for
recording and storing tree diameter measurements. The first leg is
fixedly placed along the straightedge, and the second leg projects out
from a slide displaceable along the straightedge, with the legs and the
straightedge located in mutually the same plane. The first leg can be
lowered in the plane and is pivotally fastened to an attachment on the
straightedge, and the second leg can be lowered in the plane and is
pivotally attached to the slide. The first leg has a first fastener
intended to be hooked into the attachment and the second leg has a second
fastener intended to be hooked into the slide.

Claims:

1. A calliper-type instrument (1) for measuring the diameters of trees,
comprising a straightedge (2) on which there is disposed a first leg or
jaw (3) and a second leg or jaw (4), wherein the instrument includes a
recording unit (5) which is placed on the first leg (3) and which is
adapted to store and record measured tree diameters, wherein the first
leg (3) is fixedly placed along the straightedge (2) and wherein the
second leg (4) projects out from a slide (6) that can be displaced along
the straightedge (2), wherein the legs (3, 4) and the straightedge are
located in mutually the same plane, wherein the legs (3, 4) can be folded
in said plane, and wherein the second leg (4) is pivotally mounted to the
slide (6), characterized in that the first leg (3) is pivotally mounted
to an attachment (7) on the straightedge (2); in that the first leg (3)
is provided with a first fastener means (8) which is intended to hook
into said attachment (7); in that the second leg (4) is provided with a
second fastener means (9) which is intended to hook into the slide (6);
in that the when the legs (3, 4) are in their outwardly extended
positions said legs will be mutually parallel and perpendicular to the
straightedge; in that the first fastener means (8) and the second
fastener means (9) include a hook-in part (10) placed on respective legs;
in that a first opening (1 Ia) and second opening (1 Ib) are placed
respectively in the attachment (7) and in the slide (6) with which the
hook-in part (10) is intended to co-act; and hi that the fastener means
(8, 9) are placed from the straightedge (2) by a distance equalling at
least to 1/5 of the length of respective legs (3, 4).

2. A calliper-type measuring instrument (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the first and the second legs (3, 4) are pivotally
arranged so that they can be brought generally in line with each other.

3. A calliper-type measuring instrument (1) according to claim 1,
characterized in that the hook-in part (10) is a displaceable, outwardly
projecting element (13) which is arranged to be displaced to its locking
position with the aid of a spring.

4. A calliper-type measuring instrument (1) according to claim 2,
characterized in that the hook-in part (10) is a displaceable, outwardly
projecting element (13) which is arranged to be displaced to its locking
position with the aid of a spring.

Description:

[0001]The present invention relates to a calliper-type instrument for
measuring the diameter of trees in respect of forest surveys.

[0002]A known type of callipers include a straightedge along which a slide
can be displaced. There is affixed to one end of the fixed scale and also
to one end of the straightedge and also to the displaceable slide a
respective leg between which measuring of a tree diameter is effected.
The measurement is indicated by the position of the slide along the
straightedge. Such measuring callipers are known in the art.

[0003]Also known in the art are electronic callipers in which said
position is indicated and stored electronically and with which the
measurement is presented on a display carried by the slide. Also known
are callipers which include data entering keys by means of which the
operator can enter data concerning the type of tree concerned and
therewith store this data in the memory of the callipers together with
the diameter of the tree measured.

[0004]These known callipers are used in forest surveys that are carried
out under shifting weather conditions, meaning that the callipers must be
both robust and durable with respect to prevailing weather conditions.

[0005]Because the trunks of certain types of tree will have large
diameters, it is necessary to use callipers that have straightedges
measuring about 1-1.5 m and legs measuring about 0.5 m. One problem with
known callipers is that they are awkward and difficult to transport and
difficult to carry around during ongoing surveys, since they may measure
1-1.5 m in one direction and about 0.5 m in a direction at right angles
thereto.

[0006]This problem is overcome by means of the calliper-type instrument
according to the present invention.

[0007]The present invention thus relates to a calliper-type instrument for
measuring the diameter of a tree trunk, comprising a straightedge, a
first and a second leg or jaw, a recording unit placed at the first leg
and adapted to record and store trunk diameter measurements, wherein the
first leg is fixedly positioned along the straightedge and wherein the
second leg projects from a slide that can be displaced along the
straightedge, wherein the legs and the straightedge are located in one
and the same plane, and wherein the invention is characterized in that
the first leg can be lowered in said plane and is pivotally fastened to
an attachment on the straightedge; and in that the second leg can be
lowered in said plane and is pivotally fastened to the slide; and in that
the first leg is provided with a first fastener means adapted to be
hooked in said fastener means; and in that the second leg is provided
with a second fastener means that can be hooked into the slide.

[0008]The invention will be now be described in more detail partly with
reference to an exemplifying embodiment illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, in which

[0009]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a calliper-type measuring
instrument; and

[0010]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the instrument shown in FIG. 1 from
its other side.

[0011]The present invention relates to a calliper-type instrument 1 for
measuring the diameter of a tree, comprising a straightedge 2 on which
there is mounted a first leg or jaw 3 and a second leg or jaw 4. The
instrument 1 also includes a recording unit 5 which is placed adjacent
the first leg 3 and which is adapted to record and store measured tree
diameters. The first leg 3 is fixedly positioned along the straightedge
and the second leg 4 projects out from a slide 6 that can be displaced
along the straightedge 2, wherein the legs 3, 4 and the straightedge are
located in mutually the same plane.

[0012]According to the invention, the first leg 3 can be lowered in said
plane and is pivotally attached to a fastener 7 on the straightedge 2.
The second leg 4 can be lowered in said plane and is pivotally attached
to the slide 6. The first leg 3 is provided with a first fastener means 8
which is intended to hook into the fastener means 7, and the second leg 4
is provided with a second fastener means 9 which is intended to hook into
the slide 6, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0013]In order for tree diameters to be measured precisely, it is
necessary that the legs 3,4 are straight. Consequently, the legs 3,4 will
preferably be made from a wear resistant material and will therewith be
uneven. Lightweight metal or tough plastic material are examples of
suitable leg materials. Such materials will provide lightweight legs 3, 4
that are easy to carry by personnel working with the measurement
instruments 1. In order to facilitate transportation of, or movement of,
the instrument among the trees the legs 3 and 4 of an instrument 1
according to a preferred embodiment of the invention are arranged to
enable them to be brought generally into line with each other and in said
mutual plane. In these transportation positions, the legs 3, 4 are
lowered to a position in which they are parallel with the straightedge 2.

[0014]When the inventive measuring instrument is in its operating mode,
the first leg 3 is swung out to a position in which it is perpendicular
to the straightedge 2.

[0015]When the inventive measuring instrument is in its use mode, the
second leg 4 is also in an outwardly swung position perpendicular to the
straightedge 2.

[0016]FIGS. 1 and 2 show the measuring instrument with the first leg 3
fastened in the fastener means 7 and the second leg 4 in a position in
which it is free from the fastener means 9. According to a preferred
embodiment, the fastener means 8, 9 may be disposed in any suitable
manner whatsoever, so that the legs 3, 4 can be constantly held in a
position in which they are perpendicular in relation to the straightedge
2. The first fastener means 8 and the second fastener means 9 include a
hook-in part 10 disposed on respective legs 3, 4. Moreover, the fastener
means 8, 9 include a first opening 11a and a second opening 11b provided
respectively in the attachment 7 and the slide 6, with which the hook-in
part 10 is intended to co act.

[0017]In order to achieve stability of the measuring instrument 1 between
the straightedge 2 and the legs 3, 4 when said legs are in their
outwardly extended positions, the fastener means 8, 9 are, according to
one preferred embodiment of the invention, are placed at least a distance
of 1/5 of the length of respective legs 3, 4 from said straightedge 2.

[0018]The calliper-type measuring instrument 1 can be readily handled in
general when the legs 3, 4 are folded inwards. When the instrument 1
shall be used to measure tree diameters, the second leg 4 is first swung
out towards the slide 6 about the fastener means in the slide 6; see FIG.
1. The hook-in part 10 is an outwardly projecting displaceable element 13
which is adapted to be displaced to its locking position with the aid of
a spring. The operating button 12 of the hook-in part 10 linked with the
element is therewith moved along the second leg 4 such as to draw the
outwardly projecting element 13 into the hook-in part 10. The leg 4 is
herewith moved towards a wall 14; see FIG. 2. When the operating button
12 is then moved back to its original position, the outwardly projecting
element 13 is moved down in the opening 11b in the slide 6.

[0019]The first leg 3 is then lowered towards the fastener means 7 so as
to fasten the first leg 3 in a manner similar to the hook-in procedure
regarding the second leg 4. When both legs 3, 4 have been swung out and
fastened to the fastener means 7 and to the slide 6 respectively, the
legs 3, 4 will be secured firmly at right angles to the straightedge 2.

[0020]Although the present invention has been described with reference to
a number of embodiments and usages, it will be understood that the
calliper-type instrument 1 comprising the straightedge 2, the legs 3, 4,
the slide and the fastener means 8, 9 may be constructed in other
appropriate ways without departing from the basic concept of the
invention.

[0021]The invention is therefore not restricted to the above embodiments
but can be varied within the scope of the accompanying claims.

Patent applications by HAGLOF SWEDEN AB

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